Voting has begun for Uganda’s presidential and parliamentary elections, but voting has been suspended due to logistics delays in many parts of the country due to internet blackouts.

In the morning, the BBC observed growing discontent among voters lining up at polling stations in parts of the capital Kampala, where voting had not yet begun.

Some believe the delay was caused by a malfunctioning biometric kit, which some believe may be related to network failures and a lack of equipment in some locations.

The election administration apologized for the “technical glitch” and said officials were working to resolve the issue.

Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has held power since 1986, is seeking his seventh consecutive presidential election victory while facing a challenge from a charismatic pop star.

There are reports that biometric machines used to verify voters’ identities are still out of order in areas where voting is being held.

A ruling party official told AFP: “Some biometric authentication devices are not working. We don’t know if it’s the internet or not.”

Delays are also caused by polling materials and equipment not arriving at some stations on time.

“I arrived at the polling station early, but my voting equipment has not arrived yet,” a Kampala voter told state-run UBC television.

On Thursday, Electoral Commissioner Simon Byabakama told reporters he ordered the use of the National Voter Register, where biometric authentication devices do not work.

Mr. Byabakama said, “The primary duty of the Election Commission is to ensure that citizens are not deprived of their right to vote due to mechanical failure.”

The issue appears to affect both areas considered pro-government and those considered anti-government.

The country’s law allows for an extension of voting time if the voting process is interrupted by a challenge.

“Polling stations will remain open until all registered voters in line have cast their votes by 4pm,” Byabakama added.

Opinion polls for the presidential election are essentially a showdown between Museveni and singer-turned-politician Bobi Wine, but analysts say his tenure in office is likely to be extended, given that the president has won the past six elections.

Mr Wine, 43, has vowed to tackle corruption and impose sweeping reforms, while Mr Museveni insists he is the only guarantor of the country’s stability and progress.

The election period has been marred by disruption to opposition activities, with security forces accused of assaulting and detaining Wine’s supporters.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke dismissed the accusations and accused opposition supporters, especially those affiliated with Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party, of being subversive.

Internet access has been suspended ahead of polling day, with the Uganda Communications Commission saying the blackout was necessary to prevent misinformation, fraud and incitement to violence, but the move was condemned as “deeply concerning” by the United Nations human rights office.

The NUP rejected this explanation and accused regulators of trying to prevent opposition forces from mobilizing and sharing evidence of election fraud.

Former guerrilla army leader Museveni benefits from two constitutional reforms – Removed age and term limits – which allowed him to continue running for office.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, lost to the president in the 2021 election. Mr Wine, who rejected the results alleging fraud, received 35 per cent of the votes compared to Mr Museveni’s 59 per cent, according to the electoral commission.

In addition to Museveni and Wine, six other presidential candidates are on this year’s ballot.

Voters will also choose a new parliament that will contest 353 seats.

The economy is a key issue for many of those voting Thursday.

The majority of the population is under the age of 30, and although average incomes are steadily rising, there are not enough jobs for all young people looking for work.

There are also concerns about poor infrastructure and disparities in access to quality education and healthcare.

Opposition supporters have faced escalating harassment during the election, including arrests on politically motivated charges, according to both the United Nations and Amnesty International.

Mr Wine’s rallies, unlike Mr Museveni’s, are blocked by security forces.

Amnesty International described the use of violence, including tear gas, pepper spray and beatings, as a “brutal campaign of repression” ahead of the vote.

In addition, Uganda’s electoral commissioner told the BBC he had received threats warning him not to declare a certain result..

“Some people say what will happen if we don’t declare so-and-so as president, but I say I’m not in the business of donating votes,” Simon Byabakama said, asserting that only the voters decide who wins the election.

The 2021 election was also marked by violence, with dozens killed in protests; Security forces were involved in at least some of these deathsThis was revealed by a BBC investigation.

Security has been stepped up in Uganda’s capital Kampala since Saturday.

Police are marching in formations on patrol, and armored vehicles have been deployed in various locations.

Some Kampala residents traveled to rural areas during the election period, believing they would be safer there.

“Uganda elections are often violent, so I decided to re-register my polling station in my home village,” one man told the BBC. He requested anonymity.

“I’m glad I made that decision because, as you can see, there is a strong and intimidating security force in the city. So I will continue to vote in my village, but at the same time I distance myself from this fear of security.”

Voting is scheduled to end at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Thursday, at which point anyone in line will be able to vote.

The results of the presidential vote are expected to be announced by the same time on Saturday, the election commission said.

Additional reporting by Wedaeli Chibelushi